The Emergency Relief Coordinator and UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Valerie Amos, is scheduled to visit the Central African Republic from 18 to 20 February. ERC Amos will be accompanied by the Executive Director of UNAIDS, Dr. Michel Sidibe, the African Union Commissioner for Political Affairs, Dr. Aicha L. Abdullahi, and Assistant Secretary-General of the UN Department of Safety and Security, Ms. Mbaranga Gasarabwe.

The Central African Republic remains in the midst of a full-blown humanitarian crisis with more than 700,000 people displaced across the country, including over 288,000 in the capital Bangui alone, and 86,000 refugees in neighbouring countries. Some 2.6 million people need immediate humanitarian assistance, while reports of terrible atrocities and attacks against civilians and aid workers continue.

Ms. Amos wants to take stock of the grave humanitarian crisis in the Central African Republic, which has been deteriorating since early December, and to understand the challenges faced by humanitarian partners. Her programme is expected to include field visits and meetings with senior Government officials, UN representatives, international NGOs, donors, religious leaders and affected communities.

On 20 February, Ms. Amos is scheduled to hold a press conference in Bangui at the conclusion of her mission.